TOOK THE RISK

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 10, 5 October 1937, Page 9

TOOK THE RISK

-Press Aasoctation.)

Refusal to Protect the Railways CANTERBURY TRANSPORT AUTHORITY

(By Telegraph-

! CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. "I will take the risk of getting offside with the Government," was the final reply by No. 3 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr. T. H. Langford) to an objection raised by a representative of the Railways Department to a reduction in motor transport passenger fares in an area where adequate rail* way service existed. The objection, which was not upheld, was raised when the transfer of "the Christchurch to Amberley run from A. A. Holland xo Midland Motors Services Ltd. was being considered by the authority to-day. "Our objectiou lies against a redue*. tion in farCs between Amberley-Sefton-Baleairn where there is an adequate railway service," said Mr. E. S. Brittenden (district traffie manager for the Rfiilway Department). In answer to Mr. Langford Mr. Brittenden said the Tailway passengei figures for the district were: 1933, 2157; 1934, 2353; 1935, 2241; 1936, 1963; 1937, 1823, Before the motor services ran more than 3500 passengers were carried. "I lcnow the .Government owns this service," asid Mr. Langford, "but 3 am definitely of the opinion that with this amalgamation of services this service can be run at a profit and at a good profit at these fares. I do not see any reason in the world why the public should be exploited. It is the public 's interest I am here to look after and I consider these fares are reasonable fares. They are as much as the people can alford to pay and if the railways want passengers they will have to come into line somehow. Mr. Brittenden: We will have to le' duce our fares. Mr. Langford: That is the logicaJ thing to do.